Three-in-one game system

ABSTRACT

A three-in-one game system includes a first base member and a second base member. Each of the first and second base members includes a bag toss game target located thereon and a washer toss game target located thereon. The three-in-one game system also includes at least one ladder golf game target sized to fit within a perimeter of each of the first and second base members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/934,489, filed Nov. 2, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a multi-game system, and morespecifically, to a three-in-one game system constructed for use withladder golf, bean bag toss, and washer toss.

Games of skill in which objects are thrown or tossed at targets are awell known form of entertainment. Various games are based on thispremise, including games such as beanbag toss, washer toss, and laddergolf (i.e., ladder shoes, ladder ball, etc.).

Beanbag toss is a game in which players take turns pitching small bagsfilled with beans at a raised target with an opening or hole in the farend. The target is generally positioned to have a surface at an inclineand the target is relatively small to heighten game challenge. Thetargets typically measure 4 ft×2 ft and are generally made of wood,although plastic can be a suitable replacement, and the opening isapproximately 6 inches in diameter. The beanbags are generally 3″×3″,made with duck cloth, and filled with beans. The players stand about 30ft from the target and toss beanbags towards the target.

Washer toss games typically have two spaced apart scoring boxes thatreceive tossed washers. The scoring boxes are typically manufacturedfrom wood, metal, plastic and other materials in a square or rectangularform with an open top. A plastic cylinder is placed in the center of thescoring box to receive washers that are tossed. The dimensions of thescoring box can vary, but typically it is approximately 20″×20″×3″. Theplayers stand about 21 ft from the scoring box and toss washers towardsthe box.

Ladder golf involves tossing pairs of tethered balls/beanbags (i.e., a“bola”) at a set of horizontal rungs on a support stand. The balls areusually tethered by a short piece of rope or cord that is 8-12″ inlength. The rungs that are used as the target are usually about 24″across and are positioned at vertical heights of approximately 36″, 24″and 12″ above the ground. The rungs are supported by vertical columns oneither side of the bars that extend upward from a base platform. Playersstand about 10 paces from the rungs and toss the bola toward the rungs.

While each of these games is well known in the prior art, each of thesegames has typically included its own separate playing apparatus. Thatis, each game, beanbag toss, washer toss, and ladder golf, isconstructed as a stand-alone game that includes its own base and owncomponents specific to that game. For users desiring to play multiplegames in succession, the need to set up and disassemble each individualgame can be cumbersome and time consuming. Additionally, the pluralityof stand-alone games can be difficult for a single user to transportefficiently and can also consume a large amount of space when beingtransported in a vehicle or packed away for storage. Thus, it isbelieved that there is a need for a multi-game system that incorporatesthe features of beanbag toss, washer toss, and ladder golf into a singleapparatus that is easy to use, assemble, and transport.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amulti-game system designed to incorporate the components of a washertoss game, beanbag toss game, and ladder golf game into a single unitarysystem to allow for flexibility in game play and convenience intransportation and storage of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a three-in-one game system that isconfigured to be used for ladder golf, bean bag toss, and washers.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a three-in-onegame system is disclosed that includes a first base member and a secondbase member. The three-in-one game system also includes a bag toss gametarget located on each of the first and second base members and a washertoss game target located on each of the first and second base members.The three-in-one game system further includes at least one ladder golfgame target sized to fit within a perimeter of each of the first andsecond base members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-gamesystem includes a pair of target boxes with an open top, each target boxhaving a planar surface with a hole formed in the planar surface that issized to receive a beanbag therethrough. The multi-game system alsoincludes a receptacle attached to each of the planar surfaces andextending out from the planar surface, with the receptacle being sizedto receive a washer therein. The multi-game system further includes atubing structure configured to be stored in the pair of target boxes,wherein each tubing structure further includes a plurality of verticalsupport rods and a plurality of horizontal rods attached to theplurality of vertical support rods to form a ladder arrangement.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a game kitincludes a case having a top section and a bottom section, the topsection and bottom section attached to one another by a detachable hingeon one end and a clasp section on another end of each of the top sectionand bottom sections. The game kit also includes a ladder game having aplurality of bolas and two ladder sections, with each ladder sectionbeing storable within the top and bottom sections of the case. The gamekit further includes a bag toss game having a plurality of bags, withthe top section and bottom sections of the case each forming a base forthe bag toss game.

Various other features and advantages of the present invention will bemade apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplatedfor carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-in-one game system in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the three-in-one gamesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a case formed by the three-in-one gamesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned view of the case taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectioned view of the case of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a three-in-one game system that isconfigured to be used for ladder golf, bean bag toss, and washers.

Referring to FIG. 1, a three-in-one game system 10 (i.e., multi-gamesystem or game kit) is shown. The three-in-one game system 10 includestwo identical base members 12, 14 (i.e., top and bottom sections) thatcan be separated from one another to form target boxes for use in gameplay. Each of the first 12 and second 14 base members is comprised of abase board 16, which is in the form of a flat, planar surface. A wall 18extending perpendicularly out from base board 16 (e.g., wall extending3.5″ up from base board 16) runs about the perimeter of the base board.The base board 16 and wall 18 thus form a target box with an open top toallow for game play. The dimensions of the base members 12, 14 can vary,but in one embodiment the members measure approximately 2 ft×3 ft.Additionally, any well known material and technique suitable for gameconstruction can be implemented, such as blow molding of the basemembers 12, 14 from a polymer material or constructing the members ofwood.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of base members 12, 14 is positioned for playwith a washer toss game. A washer toss game target 20 is included oneach of base members 12, 14. Washer toss game target 20 includes abottom surface 22 of base member 16 and a cup-shaped receptacle 24(i.e., hollow cylinder) positioned on base board 16. The cup 24 extendsupward perpendicularly from bottom surface 22 to receive washers 26 thatare thrown by a user. In one embodiment, cup 24 is approximately 6″ indiameter and is positioned in proximity to wall 18 on an end of the basemember 12, 14. It is also envisioned, however, that cup 24 can be variedin size/shape and positioned at other locations on base board 16, suchas in the center of base board 16.

Cup 24 is preferably formed with a quick-lock mechanism 27 (i.e., twistlock, quick-lock connection) on a bottom portion thereof. Quick-lockmechanism 27 is configured to mate with a cup holder 28 molded into baseboard 16. Cup 24 can be quickly added to and removed from base members12, 14 by engaging quick-lock mechanism 27 with cup holder 28 by asimple twisting of cup 24 to lock it into place. Thus, quick-lockmechanism 27 provides for a simple connection and disconnection betweencup 24 and base members 12, 14 when a user desires to switch the mode ofgame play or store the three-in-one game system 10.

Base board 16 includes washer retainers 29 (i.e., holders) formedtherein on bottom surface 22 to house and store washers 26 when not inuse. Washer retainers 29 can be placed adjacent one of the walls 18 atan end of base member 12, 14 and washers 26 can be snapped into holders28 to secure them therein. Also formed into bottom surface 22 of baseboard 16 is a stand retainer 30 (i.e., groove) formed for securing arotatable base stand 32 (i.e., support stand, foldable base stand). Thatis, rotatable base stand 32 fits into groove 30 such that rotatable basestand 32 is flush with bottom surface 22 when secured therein. Fittingof rotatable base stand 32 into groove 30 in such a manner preventsrotatable base stand 32 from interfering with washers tossed by a userduring game play. As will be explained in greater detail below,rotatable base stand 32 allows for transformation of the three-in-onegame system 10 from a washer toss game to a bag toss game.

Referring still to FIG. 1, three-in-one game system 10 can betransformed into a ladder golf game by adding a ladder golf game target34 (i.e., ladder ball frame) to one or both of the base members 12, 14or as a stand-alone target. Ladder golf game target 34 is formed as atubing structure that is comprised of a pair of vertical support rods 36and a plurality of horizontal rods or bars 38. The horizontal rods 38are positioned between vertical support rods 36 and are connectedthereto to form a ladder arrangement that comprises the ladder golf gametarget 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three horizontal rods 38are included in the ladder golf game target 34, however, it is alsoenvisioned that a greater or lesser number of horizontal rods 38 couldalso be attached. In one embodiment, vertical support rods 36 andhorizontal rods 38 are formed from extruded plastic tubing (e.g., PVCtubing) to form rods of approximately 1″ in diameter; however, differentmaterials and dimensions can be used for forming the horizontal rods.Horizontal rods 38 snap onto connections 39 formed on vertical supportrods 36. Horizontal rods 38 are spaced apart along vertical support rods36 to allow for bolas 42 (i.e., bean bags 52 attached by a clip tether43) that are thrown by a user to wrap around the horizontal bars 38.

Ladder golf game target 34 can be connected to base members 12, 14 byway of rod supports 44 (i.e., stanchions). The ladder golf game target34 can be attached to and removed from base members 12, 14 by slidingvertical support rods 36 into and out of rod supports 44 as desired toallow for use of the three-in-one game system 10 as a ladder golf game,or alternatively, as a beanbag toss or washer toss game. It is alsoenvisioned that ladder golf frame 34 can be positioned separate frombase members 12, 14 by connecting a foot member 40 to the bottom of eachvertical support rod 36. Foot members 40 are configured to supportladder golf frame 34 in a vertical, standing position separate from baseframes 12, 14. Regardless of whether ladder golf frame 34 is supportedby rod supports 44 or foot members 40, the vertical support rods 36 andhorizontal rods 38 of ladder golf game target 34 have a height and widthsuch that, when the ladder golf game target 34 is detached from basemembers 12, 14, ladder golf game target 34 can be laid flat and placedwithin the perimeter walls 18 of base members 12, 14 for easy storage.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one of base member 12, 14 is shown as orientedfor use with a bag toss game. When a user desires to play a bean bagtoss game on three-in-one game system 10, base members 12, 14 are turnedover to the side opposed from the washer toss game target 20 (shown inFIG. 1) and foldable base stand 32 attached to base member 12, 14 isrotated out from within the target box area to extend out from basemember 12, 14. Foldable base stand 32 is rotatably attached to basemember 12, 14 in any manner known in the art that allows the stand torotate freely relative to the base members. The foldable base stand 32positions the base board 16 of base member 12, 14 at an angle relativeto a support surface on which three-in-one game system 10 is placed(e.g., grass or concrete ground surface) when rotated out therefrom. Therotatable base stand 32 can be adjusted by a user to form a desired tiltangle between the base members 12, 14 and the support surface. In oneembodiment, the rotatable base stand 32 allows for a maximum angle of 11degrees between the base member 12, 14 and the support surface, althoughit is envisioned that a greater maximum angle could also be attainablebased on the size of rotatable base stand 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hole or opening 46 is formed in base board 16 ofbase support 12, 14. Opening 46, along with a top surface 48 of baseboard 16, forms a bag toss game target 50. The opening 46 is formed andsized such that a beanbag 52 tossed by a user can fit through theopening 46. In one embodiment, the opening 46 is a circular hole havinga diameter of approximately 6″, although other sizes and shapes for theopening 46 are also envisioned (e.g., square opening). In oneembodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, opening 46 is aligned with cup 24(shown in FIG. 1) to form a hollow cylinder that passes through baseboard 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, three-in-one game system 10 is shown as aone-piece case 53 that is formed when base members 12, 14 are connected.One-piece case 53 allows for easy storage and transport of three-in-onegame system 10 when it is not in use. As a way to store game components(i.e., washers 26, bolas 42, and beanbags 52), a zipper pouch 62 can beaffixed to an outer surface 64 of one-piece case 53. Zipper pouch 62 canthus be used to store the individual components of the three-in-one game10 when game-play is finished to reduce the number of loose componentsin three-in-one game system 10 when assembled for storage.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a handle 66 affixed to at least one of the basemembers 12, 14. The handle 66 is attached to a side wall 56 of basemember 12, 14 and is fastened to base member 12, 14 so as to allow forpivoting of the handle 66 relative to the base members. After securingthe first 12 and second 14 base members to one another by way of latchmechanism 54 to form the one-piece carrying case 53, the three-in-onegame system 10 can be easily transported by a user by way of handle 66.

Referring now to FIG. 4, base members 12, 14 are shown in cross-sectionas taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. Base members 12, 14 are latchedtogether to form one-piece case 53. Each base member 12, 14 includes alatch mechanism 54 thereon. Latch mechanisms 54 are attached on sidewalls 56 of base members 12, 14. In one embodiment, latch mechanism 54comprises a detachable hinge 58 (e.g., flexible plastic clip) attachedto first base member 12 to secure second base member 14 by snap fittinginto a clasp 60 (e.g., molded snap receptacle) formed on second basemember 14. Both side walls 56 of the base members 12, 14 include such adetachable hinge 58 or clasp 60 to form a secure connection betweenfirst and second base members 12, 14. Thus, by securing the latchmechanisms 54 of base members 12, 14, the first 12 and second 14 basemembers of three-in-one game system 10 connect to form a one-piececarrying case 53.

As shown in the side cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, to retain gamepieces within one-piece carrying case 53 formed by latching first 12 andsecond 14 base members together, openings 46 formed in the base members12, 14 can be closed off to a remaining interior volume of thethree-in-one game system 10. That is, when cup 24 is aligned withopening 46, the latched first 12 and second 14 base members effectivelyseal an interior volume contained therein. Cups 24 extend from the baseboard 16 of one of the base members 12, 14 over to the base board 16 ofthe other base member 12, 14 when the base members are latched togetherby latch mechanisms 54. Thus, washers 26, bean bags 52, and clip tethers43 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are securely contained within one-piececarrying case 53 formed by latched first 12 and second 14 base memberswhen three-in-one game system 10 is to be stored and transported.

Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, athree-in-one game system is disclosed that includes a first base memberand a second base member. The three-in-one game system also includes abag toss game target located on each of the first and second basemembers and a washer toss game target located on each of the first andsecond base members. The three-in-one game system further includes atleast one ladder golf game target sized to fit within a perimeter ofeach of the first and second base members.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-gamesystem includes a pair of target boxes with an open top, each target boxhaving a planar surface with a hole formed in the planar surface that issized to receive a beanbag therethrough. The multi-game system alsoincludes a receptacle attached to each of the planar surfaces andextending out from the planar surface, with the receptacle being sizedto receive a washer therein. The multi-game system further includes atubing structure configured to be stored in the pair of target boxes,wherein each tubing structure further includes a plurality of verticalsupport rods and a plurality of horizontal rods attached to theplurality of vertical support rods to form a ladder arrangement.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a game kitincludes a case having a top section and a bottom section, the topsection and bottom section attached to one another by a detachable hingeon one end and a clasp section on another end of each of the top sectionand bottom sections. The game kit also includes a ladder game having aplurality of bolas and two ladder sections, with each ladder sectionbeing storable within the top and bottom sections of the case. The gamekit further includes a bag toss game having a plurality of bags, withthe top section and bottom sections of the case each forming a base forthe bag toss game.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appending claims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A three-in-one game system comprising: a pair ofbase members, each base member including a base board having a topsurface and a bottom surface; a bag toss game target located on the topsurface of each base board, each bag toss game target including anopening formed through an associated base board; a washer toss gametarget located on the bottom surface of each base board, each washertoss game target including a receptacle attachable to the bottom surfaceof the associated base board to extend outwardly from the bottomsurface; a ladder golf game target supportable by each base member; anda pivotable base stand connected to each base board, each base standbeing pivotable relative to the associated base board to extendoutwardly from the bottom surface of the associated base board andposition the associated base member at an oblique angle relative to asupport surface on which the associated base member is placed.
 13. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 12, wherein each base stand extendsgenerally parallel to the bottom surface of the associated base boardwhen in a folded position.
 14. The three-in-one game system of claim 12,wherein each base member further includes a wall positioned around aperimeter of the base board and extending perpendicularly from thebottom surface of the base board.
 15. The three-in-one game system ofclaim 14, wherein the base stand is coupled to the wall of theassociated base member.
 16. The three-in-one game system of claim 14,wherein the base board and the wall define a target box with an opentop, and wherein each base stand, when in a folded position, ispositioned within the target box of the associated base member.
 17. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 12, wherein the base stand includes awire stand.
 18. The three-in-one game system of claim 12, wherein thereceptacle of each washer toss game target is receivable in the openingof the bag toss game target on the associated base board.
 19. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 12, wherein each ladder toss gametarget includes two vertical support rods and a plurality of horizontalrods extending between the two vertical support rods.
 20. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 12, wherein each ladder toss gametarget, when supported by the base member, extends perpendicularly fromthe bottom surface of the associated base board.
 21. The three-in-onegame system of claim 12, further comprising a case to facilitate storageand transport of the three-in-one game system.
 22. The three-in-one gamesystem of claim 21, wherein the pair of base members are connectabletogether to define the case.
 23. A three-in-one game system comprising:a pair of base members, each base member including a base board having aplanar surface; a bag toss game target located on each base board, thebag toss game target including an opening formed through an associatedbase board; a washer toss game target located on each base board, thewasher toss game target including a receptacle attachable to theassociated base board; a ladder golf game target supportable by eachbase board to extend perpendicularly from the planar surface of theassociated base board, the ladder golf game target including twovertical support rods and a plurality of horizontal rods extendingbetween the two vertical support rods, the two vertical support rodsbeing removably affixed to the associated base board adjacent opposingedges of the base board, the base member forming a base of the laddergolf game target to support the ladder golf game target upright relativeto a support surface on which the base member is placed; and a pivotablebase stand connected to each base board, the base stand being pivotablerelative to the associated base board to position that base member at anoblique angle relative to the support surface on which the base memberis placed.
 24. The three-in-one game system of claim 23, wherein the twovertical support rods are positioned on diametrically opposite sides ofthe opening when affixed to the associated base board.
 25. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 23, wherein the two vertical supportrods are receivable in spaced-apart openings to affix the two verticalsupport rods to the associated base board.
 26. The three-in-one gamesystem of claim 25, wherein the spaced-apart openings are defined by twospaced-apart rod supports mounted to the associated base board.
 27. Thethree-in-one game system of claim 23, wherein each base member furtherincludes a wall positioned around a perimeter of the base board, andwherein the two vertical support rods are removably affixed to theassociated base board adjacent the wall.
 28. The three-in-one gamesystem of claim 23, wherein the receptacle extends outwardly from theplanar surface when attached to the base board.
 29. The three-in-onegame system of claim 23, wherein the planar surface is a first planarsurface of the base board, wherein each base board has a second planarsurface positioned on an opposite side of the base board from the firstplanar surface, wherein the washer toss game target is located on thefirst planar surface, and wherein the bag toss game target is located onthe second planar surface.
 30. The three-in-one game system of claim 23,further comprising a case to facilitate storage and transport of thethree-in-one game system.
 31. The three-in-one game system of claim 30,wherein the pair of base members are connectable together to define thecase.